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Make all my own. Shanti and LPG. #50, 90, 150 & 300. Never stretched any & never have had any problems. I check them periodically and they have always been spot on. I have however always observed the advice to make both lines from the same spool.

I've always stretched line before making linesets, but I have noticed a lot of difference in how line stretches. Some line very obviously stretches and never returns to it's original length. Some seems to spring right back. We're only talking 1/2" or so on 100' of line, but I'd rather the line be mostly done growing before I start using it.

I've heard tell a fun and final way to stretch line is to fly a hard pulling SLK off it for the afternoon.

With quads, I've been taught to pre-stretch the spectra before making line sets. If you don't, the top lines - which take the greatest load - grow quite a bit relative to the bottom (brake) lines during the initial flights. My first line set wasn't pre-stretched and it seemed like I was constantly adjusting the line length via the pigtails on the handles during the first three or four flights. It's not an insurmountable problem, but it's not worth fighting ... just pre-stretch.

I suspect with dual line kites, that the pull on the two lines is relatively even ... a little bit of extra pull from the dominant arm maybe. Thus, pre-stretching is probably not as important.

BTW, I made up several sets of stacking lines out of bridle material. The stack lines have to be very close to the same length if you want the stack to fly well. I didn't pre-stretch the bridle line and found it to be a pain getting the lines all the same length. The next set will be made from pre-stretched bridle line.

When you do not pre-stretch your lines. After a while, a couple or hours, you will find that the line on your dominate hand will longer. Very few people do the same amount of tricks with the passive hand as their dominate hand.

Then, guess what, you have to stretch both lines to make them equal. Why not pre-stretch the lines in the beginning?

Ah!! At last, a plausible answer. I am Ambidextrous. I have wondered if needing to stretch lines was true or an urban legend. Every link I have read agrees it is necessary but I have never stretched any of the sets I have made and all my sets are still equal. I must be stretching the lines equally during normal flying.

The only thing I havenít been able to do equally well on both sides is a double axel. Easy with a left hand pop but my right hand pop just doesnít get it.

I'd have to agree with Zeke. I stretch all the sets I make, but I have noticed that on premade sets, you do get what you pay for. Every "bargain" set, I have had to adjust after flight. Not really a problem as I have everything I need even if I need to resleeve them, just an observation...

Stretch them. When I first started flying, I was told that pre stretched lines were always better so there would be no creep in them and the lines would always be even. This is by a couple of very well known kite makers who still makes kites today. After 23 years of flying and making a few sets of my own, who am I to argue with them.

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